Patient 30 Contacts 20 People While Traveling Between Jung-gu and Jongno-gu in Seoul and Incheon

On the 16th, after closing the emergency room of Korea University Hospital in Seongbuk-gu, Seoul, where the 29th COVID-19 patient had visited, disinfection measures were initiated. Photo by Jinhyung Kang aymsdream@

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Heung-soon] The 30th confirmed case of the novel coronavirus infection (COVID-19) in South Korea (born 1952, Korean female) was found to have shown symptoms and contacted a total of 20 people while moving between Jung-gu and Jongno-gu in Seoul and Incheon Metropolitan City, according to epidemiological investigations by health authorities.

The Central Disease Control Headquarters of the Korea Centers for Disease Control and Prevention stated at a regular briefing on the 18th, "So far, 20 contacts of the 30th confirmed case have been identified," and added, "Measures such as self-quarantine are being taken for the contacts."

The 30th patient is the wife of the 29th patient (born 1938, Korean male), who was confirmed positive at Korea University Anam Hospital on the 16th. Health authorities reported that this patient developed symptoms such as cough, chills, and muscle pain around the 6th, which is considered the onset date. In accordance with relevant regulations, investigations were conducted on places visited and contacts from one day before symptom onset until isolation.

According to the findings so far, the 30th patient commuted to a company located in Jung-gu, Seoul, from 6 a.m. to 8 a.m. between the 5th and 7th and returned home on foot. On the 8th, she visited a medical institution in Jongno-gu (Seoul National University Hospital outpatient clinic) from 9:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. Her movements on the 9th are still under investigation.

On the 10th, she visited a medical institution in Jongno-gu (Gangbuk Seoul Surgical Clinic) around 9 a.m., then took the subway with acquaintances to Yongyudo in Jung-gu, Incheon, around 10 a.m. After lunch, she took the subway to visit the Gyeongin Ara Waterway and later moved by subway to Dongmyo Station. Around 6:55 p.m., she stopped by a pharmacy in Jongno-gu (Dangol Onnuri Pharmacy, 50 Jibong-ro).

The movements on the 11th and 12th have not been identified. On the 13th, she visited a restaurant in Jongno-gu (Myeongnyun Jinsa Galbi Seoul Dongmyo Branch) around noon and a cafe in Jongno-gu (Starbucks Dongmyo Station Branch) around 1:40 p.m. On the 14th, she took a taxi to go to the company in Jung-gu around 9:20 a.m. Then, around 10:20 a.m., she walked to a medical institution in Jongno-gu (Gangbuk Seoul Surgical Clinic) and visited a pharmacy in Jongno-gu (Dangol Onnuri Pharmacy) around 10:45 a.m.

On the 15th, she accompanied the 29th patient to a medical institution in Seongbuk-gu (Korea University Anam Hospital) for nursing care, and on the 16th, after visiting Korea University Anam Hospital again, she returned home. Subsequently, after undergoing examination at the local health center's screening clinic, she was confirmed positive and transferred to a nationally designated inpatient treatment bed (Seoul National University Hospital). During this period, 20 contacts were identified, and health authorities are conducting further investigations.

Meanwhile, the 29th patient was found to have contacted 115 people from the estimated onset date on the 5th until isolation on the 16th, an increase of one from the previous day's 114. Health authorities have confirmed that this patient had no overseas travel history and no close contact with existing patients, and are checking movements up to two weeks before symptom onset. So far, it has been confirmed that the patient used facilities such as the Jongno Senior Welfare Center and Giwon before symptoms appeared. The Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasures Headquarters stated, "We are investigating suspected symptoms and overseas travel history, focusing on users of the relevant facilities."